Bailey Zappe channels Tom Brady with impressive stat in Patriots' win over Steelers

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The New England Patriots are having a brutal season, but their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday night provided a bright spot in an otherwise down year. 

Before the Thursday Night matchup, the Patriots sat at 2-10 and had lost five straight games. 

Quarterback Bailey Zappe of the New England Patriots looks to pass in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium Dec. 7, 2023, in Pittsburgh.  (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

New England got back in the win column, defeating Pittsburgh 21-18 behind three touchdown passes from quarterback Bailey Zappe. 

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All three of Zappe’s touchdowns came during the first half, marking the first time a Patriots quarterback has thrown for three touchdowns in the first half since Tom Brady did so during the 2018 season, according to ESPN Stats & Info. 

New England entered halftime with a 21-10 lead and hung on in the second half, getting a fourth-down stop with under two minutes to play in the fourth quarter. 

"No one has quit in this locker room," Patriots enter David Andrews said. "We're fighting, we're working. We're trying to get better. That's all you can do. That's all you can ask for. It hasn't been perfect."

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Quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) of the New England Patriots looks to pass in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium Dec. 7, 2023, in Pittsburgh.  (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

The loss was a big blow to the Steelers playoff hopes. Pittsburgh fell to 7-6 on the season and out of the